Psychiatrists are trained medical doctors, they can prescribe medications, and they spend much of their time with patients on medication management as a course of treatment. Psychologists focus extensively on psychotherapy and treating emotional and mental suffering in patients with behavioural intervention.undefined

The helpline works on a principle of maintaining strict confidentiality of the call content, hence no one other than the counsellor will know about what you called the helpline. If you choose not to reveal your identity, you can remain anonymous.

Those who have experienced an episode of major depression can put a person at higher risk for future episodes. This is not to say that everyone with experiences of depression will experience it again. Access to the right treatment is vital to recovery and will help identify and prevent future episodes of depression.

If left untreated, types of depressive disorders can last for months or sometimes years. A major depressive episode is characterised by a set of symptoms that typically lasts for a few months.. Bipolar disorder is characterised as “ups” (periods of mania) and “downs” (periods of extreme depression). Though these phases may change rapidly or slowly, bipolar depression can last until an effective treatment is found. Dysthymia is mild and more difficult to identify and may last for years if left untreated.

Alternative therapy describes any treatment or technique that has not been scientifically documented or identified as safe or effective for a specific condition. Alternative therapy involves a variety of disciplines that include everything from diet and exercise to mental conditioning and lifestyle changes. Examples of alternative therapies include yoga, acupuncture, guided imagery, chiropractic care, hypnosis, biofeedback, aromatherapy, relaxation, herbal remedies, massage and many others. If you are interested in trying any of these options, talk to your doctor.

Even if invitations are ignored, Invite your loved one out for activities that they used to love once.

Talking to a therapist could be a big step, company taking this step could be very helpful.

Remind them it is possible to overcome depression.

Try to remind them of how much they mean to you and how wonderful they are.

Arrange for hospitalization if they experience hallucinations, suicidal tendencies or delusions.

Don’t give up on the person remind them often that they deserve to feel better.

Our mission to achieve our vision

We want to provide support and advice to empower all Indians affected by symptoms of mental health.

We want to improve the mental health of all people in India. We want to promote understanding, reduce stigma and to give a voice to those who have none. We aim to help individuals lift themselves out of the impacts of poor mental health, we seek to ensure that all people especially those with the fewest resources hold a good state of mental health to secure opportunities to succeed in life.

Awareness

Mental health affects us all

Mental health is equal to physical health. Effecting rich, poor, young and old.

Access

We strive to ensure access to:

Treatment options, support groups, knowledge of mental health and inclusion in society.

Advocacy

We work with governments, educational institutions, businesses, civil society and media to:

Build support, build best practice, create partnerships and reduce stigma in Indian Society.

Anticipation

We realise mental health issues are growing.

We recognise the need for ranges of treatment to anticipate mental health issues. We will use community support options to develop effective methods of support.

Awareness

Mental health affects us all

Mental health is as important as physical health,effecting rich, poor, young and old

Access

We strive to ensure access

to support groups, treatment options, knowledge and inclusion in society

Advocacy

We work with government, businesses, educational institutions, civil society and media

Bring support, build best practice, create partnerships and reduce stigma in Indian Society

Anticipation

Mental health issues are growing

We recognises the need for an expanded range of treatment and community supportoptions for people who have experienced mental illness.

SATYAMEV JAYATE MAKES AN IMPACT

Hyacinth Pereira, Senior Vice President of the Vandrevala Foundation, reports on the volume and range of calls received after the Foundation's mental health helpline number was shared on the popular Indian television talk show Satyamev Jayate (English: Truth Alone Prevails) hosted by popular Bollywood actor and filmmaker Aamir Khan.

Vandrevala Foundation improving mental health care in Maharashtra

The Vandrevala Foundation, whose charitable activities include mental health care, has submitted a plan to the Maharashtra government to improve services in mental health institutions in the state. This move follows the publication of a World Health Organisation (WHO) reporting India with the highest rate of major depression in the world. India is going through social and economic change, industrialisation and urbanisation are changing traditional support systems.

Saif Ali Khan

With the support of Saif Ali Khan, the Indian film actor and producer, the Vandrevala Foundation leveraged its sponsorship of the India Turf Invitation Cup 2010. The media attention aimed to raise awareness about mental health issues, influence public opinion about mental health and mental illness, and generate action to address mental health in India.

Get Involved withThe Vandrevala Foundation

We focus on setting up and building programs to show local authorities that mental health programs positively impact society. We invest in smart mental health projects in the early stages of development and build them until the government can scale projects to a larger audience.